Darlington’s new signing David Ferguson says that in his “heart of hearts” he wanted to rejoin Quakers.

David, 22, spent seven seasons at Darlington previously, working his way through the youth team, and in his second year of being a YTS in season 2011-12, he was suddenly thrust into first team defensive action as the administration crisis deepened.

“When I heard that Darlington were interested in me, I thought that there was no better way to come back after what had happened before,” he said.

“I had seven great seasons at the club, especially under Craig Liddle, and even though I was thrown in the deep end that season as a 17 year old, playing half a dozen games was a great experience for me.

“I want to help Darlington win promotion. I love the club, it’s in my blood. I’ve had a great time at Shildon, but I’ve got to look after myself and climb up the football ladder again.”

After leaving Quakers at the end of that crisis-torn season, he had three years at Sunderland before moving on to Blackpool where he was quickly made first team captain at the age of 21, but was surprisingly released at the end of last season.

He then joined Shildon during the summer, and has now moved back to his first club.